As we come to the middle of our Advent preparations, I want to leave a poem for you to read on what we might bring to the baby Jesus. The bitter-sweet poem (which is also a favorite hymn of mine and of the broader church) reminds us that the best gift that we can give to Jesus is our heart. May this poem help you in your Christmas preparations to remember the true meaning of Christmas. (If you want, you can listen to the hymn here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBCYZ9jIJkI)
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Christina Rossetti
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom Cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
Enough for Him, whom Angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.
Angels and Archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But only His Mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.